Key Takeaways
- The Government of India is enhancing food safety through the FSQAI scheme, part of the PMKSY initiative.
- The scheme aims to expand NABL-accredited food testing laboratories, improving access to reliable testing services across the country.
- Strengthened food testing facilities are expected to enhance export compliance and reduce rejection rates for Indian food products.
Strengthening Food Safety Infrastructure in India
The Government of India is advancing its food safety and quality assurance systems with the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY). This initiative, as outlined by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, aims to enhance the national network of NABL-accredited food testing laboratories, improving access to reliable testing services and addressing quality compliance gaps in the food ecosystem.
The FSQAI scheme allocates financial assistance for establishing and upgrading food testing laboratories. The objective is to provide industries, exporters, and enforcement agencies with internationally recognized testing services closer to production areas, thereby strengthening the overall food testing infrastructure. Key initiatives include reducing testing and certification turnaround times, expanding the geographical reach of accredited labs, and enhancing regulatory compliance along the food value chain. All labs aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 standards ensure testing quality that meets global benchmarks.
NABL accreditation acts as a gateway to international recognition of food testing results. It instills confidence in testing reliability, reduces duplication of efforts, and improves market access for Indian food products globally. This enhancement of modern testing facilities has significantly impacted compliance in food exports, leading to a decrease in rejection rates at international borders for products such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and processed foods. Enhanced pre-export screening has minimized non-compliance risks, facilitating smoother international market access.
Financial support for upgrading research and development laboratories, including those at NIFTEM-Kundli, has introduced advanced analytical testing focused on emerging contaminants, pesticide residues, and other safety concerns. These upgrades ensure laboratories keep pace with evolving regulatory requirements and international food safety standards.
NIFTEM campuses at Kundli and Thanjavur serve as Centres of Excellence, integrating research, education, and technology transfer in food safety practices. Specialized training on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is provided, along with efforts to standardize testing through collaborations with regulatory bodies.
Additionally, NIFTEM-Thanjavur features a Centre of Excellence in Non-Thermal Processing, promoting advanced technologies aimed at improving food safety, nutrition, and shelf life. These developments contribute to creating a globally competitive food safety ecosystem.
The FSQAI initiative is positioned to transform India’s food safety landscape, bolstering consumer confidence and enhancing the competitiveness of Indian food exports on the global stage. This comprehensive effort supports food businesses, exporters, and regulators, ultimately advancing India’s standing in global agri-food trade.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.